For years, companies have caught bank employees, stockbrokers, attorneys, private investigators and retail clerks stealing from customers. The negative publicity can be bad enough, but such acts bring into serious question the competence of the HR department or the person responsible for hiring the individuals.

Discussion of stereotypes is an important first step in many diversity training programs. This is an effective method of training, but anyone who conducts it needs to know that there's a risk involved.

Managing diversity means creating an environment that enables all participants to pursue organizational goals. With this approach, companies can move beyond race and gender issues and look at how all differences-age, tenure, lifestyle, managerial level, department and sexual orientation-affect working relationships.

Two companies that used computers during bargaining for such tasks as writing proposals and tracking agreements, ratified contracts with their unions more quickly and with fewer disputes than in previous sessions.